The two men in charge of Chelsea have often been cited as among the most ruthless in the game.  Firstly, you have an owner who has sacked more managers you can shake a stick at, a man who craved the Champions League so much – he sacked the man who provided it him.  Secondly, you have Mr Jose Mourinho, and every football fan in the world will know his traits.

The ‘Special One’ has sculpted himself a title winning side a year after his homecoming, through astute signings and sales.  The sale of Juan Mata to Manchester United in January 2014 is exactly the cold hearted ruthlessness we have come to expect from the Portuguese.  A two time Club Player of the Year, an integral part of the heroic 2012 Champions League side (not to mention a World Cup winner), was shipped off to join David Moyes’ ultimately doomed United project.  Jose had ripped the beating heart of this Chelsea team out, and in typically callous fashion – replaced him as if he were never there.  More importantly still, United at the time (and for some time after) were never going to pester Chelsea at the top of the league.

Abramovich, on the other hand, is a man who reportedly sacked the much loved Carlo Ancelotti in a hallway at Goodison Park, just a year after he won the league and cup double.  Here is a man who chucked Roberto Di Matteo to the curb not long after he won Europe’s most prestigious prize.

So why exactly have the Chelsea head honchos allowed this deal to go ahead?  It was only last summer Demba Ba was flat out refused to the Gunners, for fear of improving their chances in the title race.  It is probably safe to say Cech will have much more of an impact than the Senegalese striker would.

Arsenal are not only a London rival, but both clubs could realistically be challenging at the Premier League’s summit next season.  Cech’s protracted switch to Arsenal indicates that Jose struggled all the way.  Nothing would be made easy for arch rival Arsene Wenger, especially when he’d be getting his hands on one of the top ‘keepers around.

The fact is, however, that Cech is now an Arsenal player.  Now that the deal is signed, sealed and delivered, we can look at the deal from a Chelsea standpoint – an ultimate respect.  For an owner and manager known for their cold hearted ruthlessness – the Cech sale is a welcome tale of goodwill.

Since being linked with a move away, Cech has reportedly reiterated a desire to keep his family in London.  A ‘keeper of Cech’s stature would have no shortage of suitors at home and abroad, yet an Arsenal player he has become.  The emergence of Thibaut Courtois sparked rumours for much of last season about a possible departure for the Czech Republic international.  Mourinho waxed lyrical about his stalwart between the sticks back in April "Petr Cech is not a player - he's an institution.”  Even then, it seemed clear that Cech would be treated differently to the likes of Juan Mata.

Mourinho would go on to declare ‘’with institutions, you have to deal with things in a different manner.’’ It appears the two men in charge at Chelsea have a heart.  Cech even thanked Abramovich at his Arsenal unveiling for allowing him to make the short move to North London.

Jose himself would go on to support the decision to sell Cech, however grudgingly such acceptance may be “sometimes you have to respect the wishes of someone who has earned so much respect with his service.’’  A real show of class from a man who once gouged at Tito Villanova’s eyes.

The completion of the mini Cech transfer saga is a welcome tale of goodwill in football these days.  Two men who have succeeded at the very top level of the sport due to their famed ruthlessness have warmed the hearts of many by allowing a stoic servant of the club the chance to move to a direct rival.  That sort of attitude may not be the one that led both Mourinho and Abramovich to their success, but it’s one that may endear them to football fans worldwide – the one area in which they have been found wanting.

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